About 5 weeks ago I took a big step and pruned my very tall focus lyrata, which at that point reached the ceiling. The original plant is doing well and has already sprouted.
But I made an attempt to make the cut off part grow roots so I can get two plants.
But, it won't make roots and it's looking very ill at this point. It's been placed in a pot full of water since it's been cut.
What am I doing wrong? Is it too late to make it right?
by CptPlisken
4 Comments
I’m following because I am considering doing this.
Did you use any rooting hormone in the water? This stuff works great for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BX1HGC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Just sprinkle some on the cut part of your stem then place back into a vase of clean water. A clear vase or container would be easier to see your root progression, so that you don’t have to disturb the plant by checking on it each day. Change the water out when you see it is very foggy, but don’t need to change it out too often. Roots should start to form after a few weeks. Once your roots have roots (the main roots are for stability and the smaller roots that grow off of those are for nutrition!) THEN it’s time to pot! Good luck, takes patience but it’s worth it!
I am not a expert in this but I think the issue here is that it is too much to propagate. You need to cut that branch into 2-3 more. After that, i would cut the leafs in half or even more. This will signal to your plant to regrow. Currently, with those big leave, it is still trying to grow them rather than propagate.
IMHO, i would do only 2-3 leafs on a stem to try propagating, and each leafs needs to be cut in half.
EDIT: Also it take 4-6 weeks to root, so patience 😀
I do this all the time. You say it’s looking very ill, how? Is it the white spots you are concerned about? That is normal, it takes at least, 3 months for it to be viable roots. I usually put my cutting into a colored vase and it makes a pretty arrangement as is. I have never cut my leaves in half. You can look at my posting from today and see pictures. It looks like you also have a single leaf in a vase, that may be less successful than your branch cutting but definitely worth a try. Fresh water once a week and you are good to go. I probably would cut that branch in half and root both in the same vase. Also, if that window get direct sun or heat, it may be too hot for it.